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is to be the focal point, I might suggest the island be completely
different than everything else…like this reclaimed wood top.
Many of Norris' clients are choosing quartz or granite,
although Norris has also done concrete countertops as well as
those crafted from back-painted glass. "I'm still using marble,
too, even though it is susceptible to staining," she adds.
Leathered and honed finishes for natural stone are current-
ly trending as well. "These finishes add texture, which brings
another element into the design," she notes. "When combined
with smooth cabinets and backsplashes, a textured countertop
material will add some contrast."
ALISON NORRIS, DESIGNER
B&T Kitchens and Baths, Virginia Beach, VA
Given their close proximity to water, Alison Norris' clients
often gravitate toward a coastal design theme, integrating
elements indicative of a beach lifestyle drawn from a palette
of the sand, sea and sky. While white Shaker-style cabinetry is
often the norm, these clients opted to add a bit of eclectic flair,
incorporating a contrasting focal-point island painted in the
watery blue hues of Sherwin Williams' Raindrop.
Norris added pendants crafted from repurposed oyster
baskets above, but the focal point of the space is the island's
live-edge, reclaimed wood top. "I wanted to include a special
countertop…something that would 'wow' the kitchen," she
says, noting the plank boards that were salvaged by Lisa Baird,
CP Design (formerly Classy Pickers). "The wood is rich and
earthy and it contrasts with the soft colors of the kitchen."
Norris admits that a wood countertop at the island, which
is often a main prepping zone, may not be the right choice for
everyone. "Wood can be more absorbent, so a special seal-
ant was added to give it waterproofing characteristics," she
explains. "This particular piece also has worm holes. But it
works for my clients. It is reclaimed, so if it gets scratched, you
can't tell because it's already distressed."
Norris complemented the island top with honed soapstone
countertops around the perimeter. "Their dark color contrasts
nicely with the white cabinets and the wood countertop, which
has a lot of black in it," she says.
When it comes to helping clients select countertop
materials, Norris guides them based on how they live in the
space, and whether they want their countertop to play a lead or
support role. "If someone likes to drink red wine, I steer them
away from marble or light granites and toward quartz that
can resemble those natural stones," she states. "If they want a
natural piece with a lot of movement, then I suggest granite.
Manufacturers are making quartz that looks like granite, but
granite still has that wild character."
For countertops that are part of a monochromatic design
scheme, the designer often chooses a material that will tie all of
the elements together. "Countertops can also be a conversation
piece for the kitchen," she says, noting they can be the ice break-
er for stimulating dialogue at a gathering. "And if a countertop
Photos:
Ramone
Photography
Alison Norris' clients added a bit of
eclectic flair to their coastal kitchen with a
focal-point island painted in a watery blue
and topped with a reclaimed wood coun-
tertop. The island's live-edge top 'wows' in
this kitchen. "The wood is rich and earthy
and it contrasts with the soft colors of the
kitchen," she says.
Dark, honed soapstone perimeter
countertops contrast with white cabinetry
and coordinate with the island's wood top,
which has a lot of black from worm holes.
August 2017
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KitchenBathDesign.com 83